The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17
AN OLD TIME SHEPHERD.

one parish for sixty-seven years, whose
living was under the value of EGO, who
educated and placed in the world eight
children, and left behind him, not only
memory honored throughout all the
country side, but $4,000 in hard cash.
Under an old yew tree in corner of a
quiet little graveyard Wonderful Wal
ker" sleeps his long sleep; the plain blue
slab rests on two crumbling brick sup
ports. 1t is simply inscribed to the MEM
DRY OF Robert Walker, aged ninety three;
his wife, also aged ninety-three; and their
eldest daughter, Elizabeth, aged eighty
one.
And now to tell you something of the
man that lies beneath that stone. He
was born within mile from his last
home, in humble little cottage in Seath-
waite; he ministered in this valley for
sixty-seven years, and here he died; he
was born in 1709 and died in 1902 Dur
ing all those years he governed his par.
ish with an entirely healthy and absolute
ly autocratic rule. "The Wonderful"
was well-read theologian, and an ex-
ceedingly exact and loyal churchman;
above all things he had the gift and wis.,
dom to bring religion into touch with
conduct, and to enforce in the field what
he preached in the pulpit. He was an
ideal bishop or overseer, of his flock, not
only instructing his people in spiritual
matters, but directing their material
lives and exercising noble masterhood
over both souls and bodies. In valley
where every man. woman and child had
to work hard for a living, he led the way
in all manual labor. Rising every morn
ing between three and four O'Clock, he
plowed and planted, he tended his own
flock, spun his own fax and wool, and
made his own shoes. In his person he
combined law, physic and divinity, with
admirable magisterial function added; he
prepared all his peoples wills and bonds,
and when they were i'll he physicked
them, and that with good effect, il one
may judge by the average length Of Seath-
waite lives. He educated all his own
children and started them in the world,
sending one Of the boys to college-edu-
eating them in so solid and admirably
tenacious way that all lived honorable
lives, handing down the Walker tradi-
tions almost to the present day. So ex-
cellent was the discipline of the parish
that in all the length and breadth of it
there was not single dissenter, and no
1.-THE war ever ruffled the peace of the
valley. The matter of tithes, by the way,
was adjusted in very simple and pictur-
esque manner. When the villagers we're
| getting in their hay or corn, "Fhe Won
derful" took sheet into the field, and fill
| ing it with as much Of the crop as it would
carry, he would place it on his back and
contentedly walk home. AS regards
clothes, he was certainly law unto him.
self; when at home he wore a coarse blue
frock and checked shirt, leather strap
| for stock, and coarse apron and wooden
clogs, but for all this no bishop in full
vestments ever seems to have inspired
more absolute reverence and awe.
In two ways "The Wonderful" antici-
pated certain recent reforms. For about
eight hours every day. except Saturday,
he was occupied in teaching the children
of his parish, giving them sound educa-
ton free OF charge. l think it is Mr..
Ruskin who has desired that every vii
lage should have holy church at one
end, and holy tavern at the other, with
holy tapste', if it may be, dispensing
honest beer. Here, again, "The Wonder
ful' was just 100 years in advance of his
time. He kept the village inn, selling an
excellent home brewed ale that was meat
and drink to his people; not only did he
preach temperance and sobriety in the
pulpit, but he enforced it in the village
beer shop. To this day they tell a story
of thirsty wayfarer ordering pint of
ale on a hot day, and finding it so excel
lent he called for a second, whereupon
Mrs. Walker made answer: "My friend,
go thy way; l know, it thou dost lot,
when thou hast had enough" He exer-
cised generous hospitality, literally
feeding his flock, the long homely table
being spread every Sunday with simple
fare for the retreshment of parishioners
who came from long distance. His
wife was worthy of her husband, second
ing all his efforts and sweetening and soft
ening his rough life with unfailing love
and tenderness. The records Of her death
and funeral are full Of lovely pathos
She was borne to her grave by three of her
daughters and one granddaughter. "The
Wonderful was then more than ninety
years old, and well-nigh blind, but he
insisted on lending his aid, and feeling
about, took hold of napkin tied to the
coffin. and SO, as far as might be, helping
to bear the body, he entered the church.
1 have no space to tell Of his wide prac-